Dimethyl Carbonate (DMC) has become one of the most in-demand organic carbonates in the global chemical industry. Known for its eco-friendly profile, low toxicity, and excellent solvent properties, DMC is widely used across sectors such as lithium-ion batteries, polycarbonate production, pharmaceuticals, paints, and adhesives.
If you’re a buyer, distributor, or researcher looking for the best dimethyl carbonate manufacturers, this guide covers everything you need: leading producers, manufacturing technologies, applications, and market trends.
What Is Dimethyl Carbonate (DMC)?
Dimethyl Carbonate is an organic compound (C₃H₆O₃) produced mainly through oxidative carbonylation or transesterification processes.
It is widely valued because it is:
- Non-toxic
- Environmentally friendly
- Biodegradable
- A green substitute for phosgene-based processes
DMC is often used in:
- Electrolyte solvents for Li-ion batteries
- Polycarbonate resin production
- Methylating agents in pharmaceuticals
- Coatings, inks, and adhesives
- Fuel additives and cleaners
Top Dimethyl Carbonate Manufacturers (Global List)
Here are the leading companies involved in the large-scale production of DMC.
- UBE Corporation (Japan)
Key Highlights:
- One of the world’s largest DMC manufacturers
- Produces high-purity DMC for lithium-ion battery electrolyte
- Strong presence in Japan and Southeast Asia
Specialization:
- High-purity battery-grade DMC
- Industrial-grade solvent and chemical-grade DMC
- Huntsman Corporation (USA)
Location: Texas, United States
Why They’re Leading:
- Major supplier in North America
- Strong R&D and specialty chemicals expertise
- Supplies DMC for coatings, resins, and pharma intermediates
Market Demand:
- Preferred by U.S. manufacturers due to stable supply and quality
- BASF SE (Germany)
Strengths:
- One of the largest chemical producers globally
- Manufactures DMC for polycarbonate production and solvents
Industries Served:
- Automotive
- Electronics
- Coatings
- Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (Japan)
- Produces high-purity DMC for energy storage and electronics
- Known for sustainable, high-performance chemicals
- Shandong Shida Shenghua Chemical Group (China)
One of the major Chinese producers of:
- Dimethyl Carbonate (DMC)
- Ethyl Methyl Carbonate (EMC)
- Propylene Carbonate (PC)
Industry Advantage:
- Strong supply to battery industries
- Large export capacity
- Lotte Chemical (South Korea)
Focuses on:
- Battery-grade carbonates
- Specialty carbonates for solvents
Serves markets in:
- Korea
- China
- Southeast Asia
- Tongling Jintai Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd. (China)
Capabilities:
- High production volume
- Competitive pricing
- Strong export presence
DMC Manufacturers in the USA
If you are looking specifically for American manufacturers, here are the top players:
- Huntsman Corporation
- Largest U.S.-based supplier
- Supplies both chemical-grade and high-purity DMC
- Kowa American Corporation
- Distributor of Japanese DMC in the U.S.
- Strong presence in industrial and electronics sector
- Avantor Performance Materials
- Provides high-purity solvents including DMC
- Used widely in labs and pharmaceutical companies
How Dimethyl Carbonate Is Manufactured
There are three common processes:
- Oxidative Carbonylation (Green Process)
Ethylene oxide + CO + methanol → DMC
- Eco-friendly
- High yield
- Used by most modern manufacturers
- Transesterification of Urea with Methanol
Urea + Methanol → DMC + Ammonia
- Cost-effective
- Widely used in China
- Phosgene-Based Method (Old & Rare)
- Avoided due to toxicity
- Not environmentally friendly
Grades of Dimethyl Carbonate
Manufacturers supply DMC in different purities:
| Grade | Purity Level | Applications |
| Battery-grade | 99.9% | Lithium-ion electrolytes |
| Pharma-grade | 99.5–99.9% | Methylation, solvent |
| Industrial-grade | 99–99.5% | Coatings, inks, adhesives |
| Fuel additive grade | ~98–99% | Gasoline additives |
Applications of Dimethyl Carbonate
- Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolytes
- Used as a solvent with EC, DEC, EMC
- Critical for electric vehicles (EVs)
- Growing demand due to global EV boom
- Polycarbonate Production
Eco-friendly substitute to:
- Phosgene
- Methyl chloride
Used in:
- Headlights
- Construction materials
- Electronics
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
As a methylating and carbonylation agent.
- Paints, Coatings, and Adhesives
High solvency and low VOC profile.
- Fuel Additives
Improves:
- Combustion efficiency
- Octane rating
Global Market Overview
Market Size (2024–2025):
The global DMC market is growing at ~5–7% CAGR.
Growth Drivers:
- Rising demand for EV batteries
- Shift to green chemistry
- Expansion of polycarbonate production
Demand Regions:
- Asia-Pacific: Largest producer & consumer
- North America: High demand for coatings & lithium batteries
- Europe: Focus on sustainable solvents
How to Choose the Right DMC Manufacturer
When selecting a supplier, evaluate:
✔ Purity levels & certifications
- ISO
- REACH
- RoHS
- Battery-grade specifications
✔ Production capacity & supply reliability
Especially important for battery manufacturers.
✔ Export experience
Smooth logistics and customs handling.
✔ Pricing & minimum order quantity (MOQ)
✔ Technical support
Many U.S. and Japanese companies offer strong R&D backing.
Conclusion
The demand for dimethyl carbonate (DMC) continues to rise globally, driven by the booming lithium-ion battery, pharmaceutical, and polycarbonate industries. Whether you’re sourcing for industrial use or high-purity electrolyte applications, the top manufacturers like UBE, Huntsman, BASF, Mitsubishi Chemical, and Lotte Chemical are dependable options.
Understanding the major producers, processes, applications, and grades helps you choose the right supplier for your needs and ensures consistent quality.
About the Author
